Process and apparatus for the optical study of the motion of mechanisms



I. KOECHLIN.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE OPTICAL STUDY OF THE MOTION 0F MECHANISMS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAYfi, I918.

1 ,329,909. Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

A T TOP/YEVJ.

UNITED STATES PATENT one-10E.

ISAAC KOECHLIN, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE OPTICAL STUDY OF THE MOTION OF MECHANISMS.

To all whom it may com-cm:

Be it known that I, ISAAC KonoumN, a citizen of the Republic of France, manufacturer, residing at Paris, 1 Avenue de Camoens, in the Re ublic of France, administrator de la Societ Anonynie dcs Automobiles & Cycles Peugeot, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes and Apparatus for the Optical Study of the Motion of Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved apparatus which will allow of studying in a manner analogous to the stroboscopicmethod, the movements of any mechanism having rotary, oscillatory, or enerally any periodic motion whatever.

fire improved apparatus comprises an electrical apparatus capable of producing eriodicall electrical discharges, such as i or examp e, those obtained by means of an ignition magneto for motor car engines, capable of producing two discharges at each revolution. These electrical discharges take place either between the electrodes of a s arking plug, s arking device or between t e poles of a si ent discharge tube or any, other similar device and thus furnish an instantaneous sup ly of light since the duration of the spar or discharge is practically mil.

Consequently when an object rotates for instance at the same speed as the magneto b whose discharges it is illuminated, it will a ways be illuminated at the instant when it occupies the same ositions in space. In

1 these circumstances tile object will then appear to be stationary, and with such an illumination it is possible to perceive any deformations, or variations of positions due to slipping on the driving shaft, and generally the manner in which the mechanism under observation behaves while it is in motion.

For the purpose of studying these successive positions, the illuminating magneto may be simply or speed-mu tiplying gear wh1ch will allow of varying continuously and automatically the instant when the apparatus in motion is illuminated, so as to obtain a cinematographic image rotating or oscillating as the case may be at any desired speed in such a manner as to allow of readily examining the motion which is thus apparently retarded.

The improved apparatus comprises therefore a device for producing periodic sparks Specification of Letters Patent.

driven by a speed-reducing Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

Application filed May 6, 1918. Serial No. 232,858.

driven by a speed-multiplying or speed-reducing or speed-equalizing gear, the driving wheel of which is connected to one of the rotary parts of the mechanism which it isdesired to study, for instance the crank shaft of a motor car engine if it is desired to study the return of the valves upon their seats.

The most convenient construction of the dlstributer consists of a silent discharge tube coiled u on itself so as to present the smallest possi le bulk, located in a projector or reflector.

By varying the ratio of the gear driving the distributor, the motion thereof can be reduced to any desired speed. It is to be understood that the device for generatin the current may also be for instance a coil or an electrostatic machine wherein contacts which are made periodically b the motion of the mechanismto be studie control the supply of current to the illuminating apparatus.

An embodiment of an apparatus accordmg to this invention'is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

1 is an engine whose motion it is desired to study. 2 1s a magneto driven by the engins by means of a speed change gearing or generating eriodic currents.

As shown in t e drawing the speed change gearlng consists of three ar wheels 3, 3, and 3 on the engine sha t and three gear wheels 4, 4 and 4 slidably mounted on the magneto shaft and adapted to respectivel and successively meet with the gear whee s of the engine shaft. These currents feed a silent discharge-tube 5 located at the focus of a reflector 6 in such a manner as to illuminate periodically the engine or certain parts of the engine.

Any su1table means may be employed for producing at will a variable angular position of the magneto relatively to the engine.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. A process for the optical study of the motion of mechanisms, which" consists in illuminating the mechanism to be studied by means of a source of electric illumination the motion of'mechanisms, comprising the. combination of a silent dlscharge tube, an"

apparatus for generatinginternrittent currents adapted to, produce instantaneous discharges in the said tube, and driving means for driving the said apparatus in correlation with the movements of the mechanism to be studied, the said silent discharge tube being adapted .to illuminate the said mechanism to be studied.

I 3; An apparatus for the optical study of the motion of mechanisms, comprising in combination a silent discharge tube adapted to illuminate the said mechanism, a magneto adapted to produce instantaneous discharge into the said tube, and driving means for driving said'magneto in correlation with the movements of the said mechanism to be studied.

4. An apparatus 'for the optical study ofcombination an apparatus for generating intermittent currents, an illuminatin vapparatus for producing instantaneous ashes by the action of the currents-discharged by the said generating apparatus, and driving means for driving the said current-generatmgapparatus in correlation with the cycles of motion of the mechanism to be studied, said mechanism com )rising a means for changing the ratio 0 the transmission of motion for the purpose of varying the instant of illumination in successive cycles of the motion. V

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC .KOECHLINQ Witnesses:

CHAS. I. PnEssLY, EUGENE WAT'I'IER. 

